The impact of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday goes beyond just one win and three points. Historically, Arsenal had struggled to beat City in the Premier League, losing their previous 15 meetings dating back to January 2015. This included two defeats last season where they were clearly outclassed and outmuscled by Pep Guardiola’s side, who went on to win their fifth title in six seasons.
Therefore, the celebrations that greeted Gabriel Martinelli’s deflected 86th-minute winner had a cathartic effect, as if years of pain and suffering had been exorcised in one moment. It felt like the shattering of a glass ceiling for Arsenal.
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Even without their talismanic winger Bukayo Saka, who missed the game, Arsenal found a way to beat the leading team in English football. This victory over City gives them a positive reference point for future challenges and boosts their self-belief. The atmosphere inside Emirates Stadium was filled with euphoria at the final whistle.
Arsenal’s manager, Arteta, commented on the significance of the win, saying, “I don’t know if it was a barrier, but obviously it was something we needed to go through. To beat them, we have to experience defeat against them, maybe like how we lost at the Etihad. We lost to City in two different ways last season, but here, we were the better team. The team showed real maturity today, which comes from experiences. Sometimes, you need those experiences to become a better team. I’m really proud of them and this victory sends a message to the team to keep believing in what they’re doing because they’re a fantastic group of players.”
The game itself was mostly a tight, tactical affair, with dull periods in the second half. Surprisingly, this was Arsenal’s first clean sheet at home in the league this season, which can be attributed to their improved defensive balance. They limited City to just four shots, with only one on target. City’s lone opportunity came in the fourth minute, but Arsenal’s defense cleared it off the line. Both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes performed exceptionally well in containing Erling Haaland, while Declan Rice made an impressive 13 defensive interventions.
Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, faced frustration from home supporters due to his deliberate possession play, something Arteta took responsibility for. In his defense, Arteta mentioned, “It’s my fault, all my fault… I told him to do that. Especially against this team, you start to do other things and you get in big trouble. But he was excellent in how he controlled his box and dealt with crosses and set pieces. The crowd’s response influenced other players to kick the ball everywhere. I told him to make sure he doesn’t do that again.”
This defeat raises questions about City’s ability to cope without key players like Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri. City have now suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time since December 2018. De Bruyne, who played a crucial role in both City’s victories over Arsenal last season, possesses unmatched creativity among midfielders in the league.
Additionally, Rodri’s absence was keenly felt by City. They have lost five of their last eight away league games without him. City’s win rate drops to below 60% without Rodri on the field. They have recently lost to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, Wolves last weekend, and now Arsenal as Rodri serves a three-game suspension.
Guardiola acknowledged Rodri’s importance and said, “Rodri is a really important player, just like the others, especially because he has played many games in recent seasons. The game against Wolves was important, and today as well. We know the impact of his absence, but we need to find a way to overcome it.”
Kalvin Phillips of Arsenal has been facing a series of challenges. He was told he returned from the World Cup last season overweight, and now Guardiola openly admits that he couldn’t get the best out of him. Furthermore, City pursued Rice but failed to sign him, and now Phillips finds himself unable to contribute, even as a substitute, during Rodri’s absence in such a crucial game.
Guardiola’s decision to flood the central midfield with Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and Rico Lewis might have stifled Arsenal, but it also limited City’s creativity. Guardiola justified his choice, saying, “Due to Rodri’s absence, I wanted more protection with the ball. I wanted players in the middle who are excellent with the ball, like Bernardo, Kovacic, and Rico. I wanted players who can turn and attack.”
Arsenal could have had an easier afternoon if Kovacic had been sent off for his reckless tackles on Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. However, the fact that Arsenal managed to win the game with 11 players on the field will hold more significance for them in the long run. On the other hand, Guardiola remains unfazed given City’s track record of coming from behind. They managed to overturn an eight-point deficit to Arsenal last season, and with the gap now only two points, Guardiola believes his team can recover and continue their pursuit of success.
While City may still be considered title contenders, Arsenal’s victory has instilled a newfound belief in their own abilities. They now have the confidence that they can compete with the best and endure throughout the season.
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